Ballard Announces Order From Solaris For 12 Fuel Cell Modules to Power Bolzano Buses

Ballard Power Systems today announced a purchase order from Solaris Bus & Coach S.A. a leading European bus and trolleybus manufacturer and Ballard partner headquartered in Bolechowo, Poland, for 12 FCmove™-HD fuel cell modules to power 12 buses to be deployed with SASA Bolzano, the public transport operator in Bolzano, Italy under the Joint Initiative For Hydrogen Vehicles Across Europe ("JIVE") funding program.

The Urbino 12 hydrogen model fuel cell electric bus (FCEB) – capable of traveling 350 kilometers on a single hydrogen refueling – was unveiled by Solaris at the UITP Global Public Transport Summit 2019, held in June in Stockholm, Sweden. The bus incorporates an axle with two electric motors and is equipped with a climate control system utilizing heat generated by the fuel cell module. The 12 FCmove™-HD modules – a product that was launched by Ballard at the UITP Global Public Transport Summit 2019 in June – are expected to ship in 2020 and the buses are expected to be deployed with SAS Bolzano by 2021.

"We have collaborated with Solaris for a number of years and are very pleased to now provide our latest generation fuel cell power modules for the Bolzano deployment," said Rob Campbell, Ballard Chief Commercial Officer. "This now brings the total number of Ballard fuel cell modules ordered for buses under the European JIVE program to 92, with deployments planned in Germany, France, the U.K. – including both England and Scotland – and now Italy."

Benefits of Ballard's new FCmove™-HD compared to the current generation heavy-duty fuel cell module include:

• Lower Lifecycle Cost – Expected 35% reduction in product lifecycle cost, achieved through lower maintenance requirements, higher reliability and 50% fewer parts.
• High Reliability – The fuel cell module is a completely integrated system designed with a new generation of more robust balance-of-plant components to improve reliability. Utilizing Ballard's latest FCgen®-LCS fuel cell stack technology, the Company delivers its most reliable product to date with an expected operating lifetime greater than 30,000 hours.
• Simplified System Integration – The smaller, more powerful fuel cell module enables greater flexibility in commercial vehicle design. Reducing the volume by 40% and weight by 35% has produced a compact, low-profile module that is ready to install in tight spaces.
• Freeze Start Capability – FCmove™ is tolerant to a wider range of operating conditions, including freeze start to -25°C (-13°F) without external energy. There is no need to plug in the vehicle or use special start procedures.
• Higher Temperature Operation – The fuel cell module can operate at higher temperatures, thereby permitting a smaller cooling package for integration flexibility, and generates HVAC heating, significantly improving overall fuel economy and vehicle efficiency.